Snow leveler

ABSTRACT

A lightweight snow leveler for redefining snowmobile trails incorporating an elongated rectangular frame having front and rear traveling skis. The frame mounts a leading series of snow pulverizing discs and trailing cooperating sets of snow-shifting blades alternately rolling the pulverized snow inward, then outward and finally inward so as to provide a soft redefined trail.

ilnite States Patent 1 White SNOW LEVELER [76] Inventor: Lawrence K.White, Tomahawk,

Heafford Junction, Wis. 54532 [22] Filed: July 29, 1971 [21] App1.N0.:167,293

[52] US. Cl. 172/145, 172/178, 172/188,

172/393 [51] Int. Cl AOlb 5/00 [58] Field of Search 172/145, 170,177178,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,864,042 6/1932 Fisher172/188 2,746,181 5/1956 Molene et al.... 172/784 3,331,449 7/1967Blocker 172/181 3,043,034 7/1962 Kober 172/785 2,786,283 3/1957 Bradley172/177 51 June 19, 1973 3,576,214 4/1971 Ratcliffe 172/787 3,666,0205/1972 Hess 172/200 1,313,115 8/1919 Robards 172/178 2,515,317 7/1950Schindler 172/180 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1/1931 Sweden 172/188Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerR. T. RaderAttorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey 13.

Jacobson 5 7] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED Jul 1 9 I973QEEIZIIFZ Lawrenbe K. White I.\ VENTOR.

snow LEVELER The present invention involves snow levelers, and

more particularly relates to a lightweight leveler'specifically adaptedfor grooming or redefining snowmobile trails by removing the large humpsformed therein through continued use and providing a soft relativelysmooth snow layer.

It is a significant object of the instant invention to provide a snowleveler or drag which, in addition to properly and efficientlyredefining a snowmobile trail, is of a lightweight compact constructioneasily towed behind a conventional snowmobile.

Another significant object of the invention resides in the provision ofa snow leveler which effectively removes the large humps or ridgesdeveloped on snowmobile trails after a period of use and reconditionsthe trail, by providing a layer of pulverized softened and relativelysmooth snow there along.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also a significant object ofthe instant invention to provide a leveler which redefines the trailthrough a working of the top layer of the snow without any excessivegouging or plowing of the snow or underlying earth such as could hamperthe speed and effectiveness of the leveling operation.

Basically, the leveler of the instant invention includes an elongatedrectangular frame, ski or skid mounted for mobility, which mounts aleading bank of freely rotating pulverizing discs which encounter andpulverize the formed humps. The discs are followed by alternating inwardand outward redirected pairs of blades which encounter, raise and turnthe pulverized snow to complete the pulverizing operation and effect ageneral leveling thereof.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the leveler of the instant inventionmounted in operative position behind a snow-mobile;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the leveler;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the leveler takensubstantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view takensubstantially on a plane passing along line 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view takensubstantially on a plane passing along line 5--5 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passingalong line 66 in FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 isused to generally designate the leveler comprising the instantinvention. The leveler 10 has all of the snow engaging operatingcomponents thereof mounted on an elongated rectangular frame 12comprising a pair of laterally spaced side beams or rails 14, a forwardcross beam 16 extending between and interconnecting the forward ends ofthe side beams 14, and a rear cross beam 18 overlying andinterconnecting the rear ends of the side beams 14. The side beams 14and the front cross beam 16 are preferably in the nature of outwardlydirected channel members so as to combine both strength and relativelightness, The rear cross beam 18, which as indicated overlies and issecured to the tops of the rear ends of the side beams 14, will normallybe an angle member with the vertical flange thereof orientated towardthe rear of the frame 10.

A pair of skis or ski-like skids 20 are secured to the front cross beam16 at laterally spaced points thereon so as to support the forward endof the frame for travel over the snow surface. Each of the skis 20includes a centrally located verti-cally upwardly projecting mountingrod or shaft 22 which is slidably received through an elongated sleeve24 welded to the rear face of the front cross beam 16 whereby anadjustment in the vertical height of the front of the frame 12 can beeffected. In order to fix the height of the frame in any of a pluralityof vertically adjusted positions, each of the ski shafts 22 is providedwith a series of apertures 26 therethroug'h which selectively align witha pair of opposed openings in the sleeve 24 immediately above the crossbeam 16 for the selectivereception of an appropriate pin or bolt 28therethrough. If desired, a short protective housing, defined by sideand front vertically projecting plates 30, can be provided on each ski20 about the lower end of the ski mounted shaft 22. In addition, ifdeemed desirable, short stabilizing rudders 32 can be provided on eachski 20. As will be appreciated from the drawings, the skis 20 generallycentrally underlie the front cross beam 16 and are provided withslightly upturned leading ends for ease of movement over the roughhumped trail surface to be encountered thereby. Likewise, the frameitself can have the front slightly raised relative to the rear for easein passing over obstacles.

The trailing end of the frame 12 will normally also be supported on apair of laterally spaced skids 34. Each of these skids 34 mounts on theopposed ends of an upwardly bowed leaf spring 36 which is in turncentrally secured to an appropriate mounting bracket 38 affixed to therear elevated cross beam 18. The utilization of a leaf spring typemounting provides for a slight floating action to the rear of the framewhich assists in providing the desired softened or fluffed snowcondition.

The actual pulverizing operation is initiated by a forwardly locatedbank of vertical snow cutting and turning discs 40. The discs areprovided in two sets of three discs each, the discs being angledrearwardly and outwardly with the two sets diverging slightly from eachother as will be best appreciated from FIG. 2. The discs 40 are freelyrotatable upon engagement with the snow surface and are mounted onshafts 42 joumaled within appropriate support blocks 44 mounted onrearwardly and outwardly angled support bars 46 which are in turn fixedto a pair of crossbars 48 located to the front and rear of the discs 40.

Following the pulverizing discs 40 are three pairs of blades 50, 52 and54. The blades 50 have the forward ends thereof affixed, either directlyor through filler plates 56, to the opposite ends of the cross beam 48immediately rearward of the discs 40. The two blades 50 convergerearwardly and are secured, in laterally spaced relation to each other,to a cross beam 58 extending between and affixed to the opposed siderails 14. The second pair of blades 52 have engaged forward ends thereofaffixed, either directly or through a mounting plate 60, to the crossbeam 58 centrally between the converged rear ends of the forward blades50. The blades 52 diverge rearwardly with the rear ends thereof engagedand affixed to a rearwardly located cross beam 62 adjacent the outerends thereof. The final set of blades 54 have forward ends affixed tothe cross beam 62, laterally outward of the rear ends of the blades52.'The'se blades 54 converge rearwardly with the rear ends thereofterminating in laterally spaced relation to each other and fixed to across beam 64 positioned forward of the rear cross beam 18. The bladesorientated in this manner will result in a lateral inward, outward andinward shifting and rolling of the disc pulverized snow so as tocontinue the pulverizing action and result in a final soft and fullyreconditioned product.

Noting FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as the detail of FIG. 5, each of theblades 50, 52 and 54 includes a substantially horizontal lower edgeincorporating a laterally turned or directed flange 66 which tends toengage beneath and assist in elevating the disc cut snow. Each of theblades is of a gradually increasing height from the forward to the rearend thereof with the blade initially rising vertically and, along theupper portion thereof, arcing laterally to cause an over-rolling orturning effect on the encountered upper cut layer of snow. It will ofcourse be appreciated that the discs and blades project below theperipheral frame 12 and at a depth sufficient so as to engage andrecondition the upper layer of snow along a snowmobile trail whereon thesnow has been packed by frequent travel thereon. The particular packingthat occurs on snowmobile trails results, from the nature of thesnowmobiles themselves, in a hard surface with multiple humps thereinwhich make further riding both difficult and uncomfortable.

The leveler of the instant invention efiectively reconditions the upperlayer of packed snow without disturbing the ground therebeneath and inan efficient manner which ultimately produces a relatively smooth layerof softened snow, such being ideal for snowmobile traffic. Also ofsignificance is the fact that the leveler is so constructed as to bespecifically adapted for trailing behind a snowmobile as suggested inFIG. 1. Appropriate tow chains or the like 68 will of course beprovided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A snow leveler for packed snowmobile trails and the like, saidleveler comprising a frame, skid means supporting said frame for travelover the surface of snow, a series of snow pulverizing discs rotatablymounted transversely across the forward portion of said frame forinitial pulverizing engagement with the snow, said discs being generallyvertically orientated in a front-to-rear direction, and three pairs ofsnowturning blades mounted rearward of said discs for sequentialengagement with the disc pulverized snow, the first pair of blades,immediately behind the discs, converging rearwardly from forward endslocated adjacent the sides of the frame to rear inwardly converged ends,the second pair of blades commencing at converged forward endsimmediately rearward of the converged rear ends of the first pair ofblades and diverging rearwardly to terminate in rear laterally spacedends, the third pair of blades converging rearwardly from forward endspositioned immediately outward of the diverged rear ends of the secondpair of blades, said third pair of blades terminating in laterallyspaced rear ends converged inwardly relative to the forward endsthereof, each blade including a substantially horizontal lower edgehaving a laterally turned or directedflange thereon for engagementbeneath the disc pulverized snow, each blade, along the height thereoffrom the lower edge, curving slightly laterally to provide a turningeffect to the snow engaged thereby, and each blade, along the lengththereof, being of a progressively greater height from the forward end tothe rear end.

2. The leveler of claim 1 wherein said discs are provided in twolaterally spaced sets, the discs of each set being orientated in arearwardly and outwardly directed inclination relative to the length ofthe leveler.

3. The leveler of claim 2 wherein said skid means includes a pair ofpivotally adjustable front skis depending from the forward end of saidframe.

4. The leveler of claim 3 wherein said skid means also includes a pairof ski-like members fixed to the rear of said frame and dependingtherefrom.

5. A snow leveler for packed snowmobile trails and the like, saidleveler comprising a frame, surface engaging support means supportingsaid frame for travel over the surface of snow, and three pairs ofsnow-turning blades mounted on said frame for sequential engagement withthe snow, the first pair of blades converging rearwardly from forwardends located adjacent the sides of the frame to rear inwardly convergedends, the second pair of blades commencing at converged forward endsimmediately rearward of the converged rear ends of the first pair ofblades and diverging rearwardly to terminate in rear laterally spacedends, the third pair of blades converging rearwardly from forward endspositioned immediately outward of the diverged rear ends of the secondpair of blades, said third pair of blades tenninating in laterallyspaced rear ends converged in-' wardly relative to the forward endsthereof, each blade, along the height thereof from the lower edge,curving slightly laterally to provide a turning effect to the snowengaged thereby, and each blade, along the length thereof, being of aprogressively greater height from the forward end to the rear end.

6. The leveler of claim 12 including a plurality of snow pulverizingdiscs rotatably mounted transversely across the forward portion of theframe forward of the first pair of blades.

7. The leveler of claim 13 wherein said discs are provided in twolaterally spaced sets, the discs of each set being orientated in arear-wardly and outwardly directed inclination relative to the length ofthe leveler with the sets of discs rearwardly diverging relative to eachother.

1. A snow leveler for packed snowmobile trails and the like, saidleveler comprising a frame, skid means supporting said frame for travelover the surface of snow, a series of snow pulverizing discs rotatablymounted transversely across the forward portion of said frame forinitial pulverizing engagement with the snow, said discs being generallyvertically orientated in a front-torear direction, and three pairs ofsnow-turning blades mounted rearward of said discs for sequentialengagement with the disc pulverized snow, the first pair of blades,immediately behind the discs, converging rearwardly from forward endslocated adjacent the sides of the frame to rear inwardly converged ends,the second pair of blades commencing at converged forward endsimmediately rearward of the converged rear ends of the first pair ofblades and diverging rearwardly to terminate in rear laterally spacedends, the third pair of blades converging rearwardly from forward endspositioned immediately outward of the diverged rear ends of the secondpair of blades, said third pair of blades terminating in laterallyspaced rear ends converged inwardly relative to the forward endsthereof, each blade including a substantially horizontal lower edgehaving a laterally turned or directed flange thereon for engagementbeneath the disc pulverized snow, each blade, along the height tHereoffrom the lower edge, curving slightly laterally to provide a turn-ingeffect to the snow engaged thereby, and each blade, along the lengththereof, being of a progressively greater height from the forward end tothe rear end.
 2. The leveler of claim 1 wherein said discs are providedin two laterally spaced sets, the discs of each set being orientated ina rearwardly and outwardly directed inclination relative to the lengthof the leveler.
 3. The leveler of claim 2 wherein said skid meansincludes a pair of pivotally adjustable front skis depending from theforward end of said frame.
 4. The leveler of claim 3 wherein said skidmeans also includes a pair of ski-like members fixed to the rear of saidframe and depending therefrom.
 5. A snow leveler for packed snowmobiletrails and the like, said leveler comprising a frame, surface engagingsupport means supporting said frame for travel over the surface of snow,and three pairs of snow-turning blades mounted on said frame forsequential engagement with the snow, the first pair of blades convergingrearwardly from forward ends located adjacent the sides of the frame torear inwardly converged ends, the second pair of blades commencing atconverged forward ends immediately rearward of the converged rear endsof the first pair of blades and diverging rearwardly to terminate inrear laterally spaced ends, the third pair of blades convergingrearwardly from forward ends positioned immediately outward of thediverged rear ends of the second pair of blades, said third pair ofblades terminating in laterally spaced rear ends converged inwardlyrelative to the forward ends thereof, each blade, along the heightthereof from the lower edge, curving slightly laterally to provide aturning effect to the snow engaged thereby, and each blade, along thelength thereof, being of a progressively greater height from the forwardend to the rear end.
 6. The leveler of claim 12 including a plurality ofsnow pulverizing discs rotatably mounted transversely across the forwardportion of the frame forward of the first pair of blades.
 7. The levelerof claim 13 wherein said discs are provided in two laterally spacedsets, the discs of each set being orientated in a rear-wardly andoutwardly directed inclination relative to the length of the levelerwith the sets of discs rearwardly diverging relative to each other.